Wooden Boat Kits Sailboat Kits Sail Boat Kits

Shell Boats LLC
561 Polly Hubbard Road
St Albans, Vermont 05478
Phone/Fax: 802-524-9645

~~~The Shell Boat Fleet~~~
Lucky | Leif 8 & 10 | Swifty 12 & 14 | List Of All Our Boats

LUCKY

LENGTH: 13'-0"
BEAM: 4' 7"
WEIGHT: 100 lbs
SAIL AREA: 68 sq. ft.

Finished: $3,270
Kit: $1,570

Lucky
More photos

The distinctive feature of Lucky is its cat yawl rig. The inspiration for this design comes from the canoe yawls that were so popular at the beginning of the twentieth century. Unlike the canoe yawls, Lucky is very stable and forgiving due to its modest size rig and generous beam. The split rig makes for easy sail handling and the ability to self steer to windward.

Rather than fixed seats there is generous sprawling space for 2-3 people. Many folks find this to be the most comfortable way to sail. Flotation cushions make ideal “seats” for the Lucky. Bronze oarlock sockets are standard; I have to say, in all due modesty, that this makes one very elegant little rowing boat!

Whether under sail or oars, the fine lines of the Lucky allow it to glide through the water with very little effort. The sweeping sheer line may add to the good looks of this little craft, but importantly it also makes for a dry and comfortable ride when the going gets rough.

This little boat is comfortable and handy either in a 20 knot breeze, or ghosting along at sunset. Row or sail, she’s nimble, easy to maneuver and will surely charm.

Here is a page with more photos of the Lucky.

SCHOONER 15-1/2

LENGTH: 15'-6"
BEAM: 5' 3"
WEIGHT: 155 lbs
SAIL AREA: 94 sq. ft.

Finished: $4,200
Kit: $2,400

Schooner 15-1/2
More photos

SCHOONER 18

LENGTH: 18'-0"
BEAM: 6' 2"
WEIGHT: 450 lbs
SAIL AREA: 118 sq. ft.
FORE SAIL: 50 sq. ft.
MAIN SAIL: 68 sq. ft.
DRAFT: 11"

Finished: $7,900
Kit: $3,850

Schooner 18

After a wonderful season’s use of the Schooner 15-½ I had to start thinking: what if it was a little bigger? Well this is my answer to that question. The Schooner 18 is a luxurious day sailor for 2-4 with pretenses of being a basic cruiser for 1-2. The hull and rig are essentially scaled up versions of the Schooner 15 ½. The bilge keels provide good lateral resistance as well as easy and upright beaching.

The aft cabin is quite adequate for sleeping, changing clothes, using the portable head and stowing gear. It also has a small counter space for a one-burner stove and a water jug. Including the 20” of space under the bridge deck, the clear flat area is 6’-6” long. Head room under the hatch is 36”. The aft cabin configuration makes wheel steering a practical necessity. Some will miss the lost feel of the tiller, but for me the wheel turns this boat into a little ship!

The rig has all the features of the Schooner 15-½. Test sails have shown the 18 to be a very nice performing craft. The maximum speed under sail so far has been 8 knots and about the same under power (3.5 hp Tohatsu). The aft cabin separates the helm from the outboard motor enough to make motoring a quite pleasant experience. Power could go up to 6hp, perhaps more. Rowing is also a reasonable option.

LEIF 8

LENGTH: 8'-0"
BEAM: 4'-2"
WEIGHT: 60 lbs.
SAIL AREA: 35 sq.ft.

Finished: $2,525
Kit: $1075

Leif 10

LEIF 10

LENGTH: 10'-0"
BEAM: 4'-8"
WEIGHT: 80 lbs.
SAIL AREA: 50 sq.ft.

Finished: $3,025
Kit: $1,275

Although either boat will sail faster with one person, the 8' has room for two people. The 10' will hold three with an occasional fourth. As an option, the Leif 10' is also available (no extra cost) with a daggerboard and trunk rather than the full-length keel.

Leif owners often cartop to ponds or lakes, leave the car and sail away. This is a very compatible boat for campouts and will accommodate your whims on short notice. Customer feedback has repeatedly confirmed our intentions, which was to design an easily built, easily handled and maintained kit boat.

SWIFTY 12

LENGTH: 12'-0"
BEAM: 5'-2"
WEIGHT: 115 lbs.
SAIL AREA: 65 sq.ft.
DRAFT: 5"

Finished: $3,050
Kit: $1,500
Plans: $80

Swifty 12

SWIFTY 14

LENGTH: 14'-0"
BEAM: 6'-0"
WEIGHT: 165 lbs.
SAIL AREA: 85 sq.ft.
DRAFT: 6"

Finished: $3,770
Kit: $2,200

The Swifty 12 is our most popular boat, very fine for sailing, also great for rowing and motoring. Docile and easily handled, the Swifty will plane on a reach in a good breeze - while you fly, you're dry! It has plenty of room for three or four people, but will perform best with one or two.

This design incorporates sealed flotation chambers under the front deck and all seats. The hull is constructed on a simple building jig and can be planked in one day. The single-sailed cat rig is leg o' mutton style using a curved sprit boom. Some owners have modified to a sloop by adding a jib. The folding 16' mast enables quick set-ups or take-downs - the entire rig can be stowed in the boat.

The Swifty 14 has the same hull shape as the Swifty 12, but has been scaled up. Increasing the length by two feet produces an increase in volume of over 50%. Although one person can handle it easily, it will sail very well with a crew of two, three or even four people. The 18' mast folds in half to stow easily in the boat. The rig sets up just like the Swifty 12.